MCI -vs- Crown Vic

[MattC]

Today while following Richard's GMC up Texas HWY 64 somewhere between Tyler and Canton a Crown Vic tried to take on my old beater MCI.  No one was seriously injured as far as I know.

I was buzzing along about 70 when this white Crown Vic swerved with serious intent into my lane at some insanely short range.  I swerved, smoked the tires and managed to deflect impact to a serious glancing blow opposed to the impending head on.  Not that it was close but the Trooper pointed out where his mirror struck directly below my window.  He creased all three baggage doors, pulled off rub rails, broke my outer drive rim, ripped that drive tire and probably hosed my wheel bearing on that side.  His car looks like there should have been a couple fatalities inside. It was crinkled from stem to stern on the driver's side and it was shaded Firestone black.  All the glass, chrome, handles etc. on that side were either in the road or in my drive rim.  

I'm betting either his or my Guardian Angel called in a few markers today.  The Reverend looked a bit dazed and had quite a few glass shard pricks all over his head / face.  I must comment on the 'witnesses' to the accident.  By the time I got to his car there were three cars full of folks helping the Rev and his passenger.  They stuck around, left info, talked to the Trooper and were better than could be found in any other state, I'll wager.  IMHO

I didn't manage to get pictures of the car before it was hauled off on a trailer, however, Liz has some pictures of the bus I'll post later after I've stopped buzzin.

One of the Firemen mentioned that he was impressed with the bus as he's seen S&S totalled by striking a mail box.  He figured, judging from the car, that the impact would have bisected a "Winnie".  His words not mine.  

[JohnEd]

Really great that you are all OK.  So what possessed the Rev to try to commit sideways by MCI?

I'll be driving this Winnie for a year more.  not happy with the trooper's observations and I think, personally, that he is correct.

Again, glad you are all uninjured.

John

[gumpy]

Wow. Glad  you're all ok.

The bright side is that now his insurance can buy you all new stainless for that side of the bus!  Gonna look sharp with it all replaced professionally and polished up! 

[MattC]

Wow. Glad  you're all ok.

The bright side is that now his insurance can buy you all new stainless for that side of the bus!  Gonna look sharp with it all replaced professionally and polished up! 

That thought crossed my mind as well, then I realized how ugly it'll make the other side look!  LOL  Which means I'll have to polish the rest of the bus to match the 'good' side. 

[bryanhes]

Glad you and Liz are ok and no one was severely hurt. I thought you were heading east last week? See what happens when you don't stick to travel plans 

Bryan

[buswarrior]

Can't see both sides at the same time?

No worries, call it "before and after"

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[John316]

Matt,

Whew, that is something else. Thanks for telling us. The Lord sure protected you all.

I am glad that nobody was killed/seriously injured. And here you go proving to us that swerving does help, sometimes (we just had a thread on that). I am glad that you didn't loose control over your bus.

Was Mr. Rev. falling asleep or something? Or just wandering?

Actually, the insurance should pay for the polishing of both sides, so it will match. Seriously...

God bless,

John

[kyle4501]

. . . . And here you go proving to us that swerving does help, sometimes (we just had a thread on that). I am glad that you didn't loose control over your bus. . . .

I think that should read "maintaining control with cool thinking & not over reacting definitely helps". I think it is very important to emphasize maintaining control by acting proactively, not reacting. Matt, this is an impressive example of proper driving where you were paying attention to oncoming traffic & as a result, were prepared to act accordingly.

I am so thankful you & yours are fine & that no one was seriously injured.
I'm sad that you have to deal with the aftermath of repairing your coach.

As for getting your bus repaired - be prepared for his insurance to try to total it & give you a check. - If they do try that, simply ask them to hold on to the check & just replace your coach with a comparable unit so you can be made whole. Don't rush into accepting a check from them. Also helps if you are prepared with several adds for suitable coaches for sale. A thick file with receipts also helps. Based on my experience in similar situations, you may need to interview a few lawyers to find one suitable for encouraging the proper action from the insurance company.

Good luck!

[Stormcloud]

Glad you are OK.

Definitely something to be said about our safety in these substantial' vehicles that we drive.
I know the RV in this link is not a bus, but similar enough.

http://www.winnipegsun.com/news/canada/2010/08/02/14898101.html

A S&S in its place would very likely have resulted in additional injuries.

Best regards.

Mark

[Van]

Matt, we are glad you all are uninjured. Also,no doubt your attentiveness and quick thinking at the wheel saved lives that day. Glad you guys are still with us , thanx for sharing this experience.


     Van

[John316]

Matt,

Also the fact that you stepped on the brakes hard enough to smoke the tires, is impressive. It shows that you were in control of the situation. Good for you.

Also, the more I think about it, the more I am sure that insurance would have to pretty up the other side of your bus too. That could even require new paint. When a car is hit on one side, they usually repaint the whole car. The same with a bus. They can't just fix one side, without the other side matching. Also, you might want to have your tires checked out, since you "smoked" them. You might need a new set (courtesy of insurance, of course).

I just hope and pray, that if we have a wreck, it would have such a happy ending.

God bless,

John

[Busted Knuckle]

Matt,
Great to hear there were no serious injuries in the accident.
Sorry to hear about damage to your bus though.
And as said get quotes for proper repair to make it all match when done, also have the tires checked by a reputable tire dealer just in case you did flat spot one or all of them.

And as Kyle points out get some info on comparable "replacement" units together before the insurance company tries to stiff you. It will help out tremendously! And if they still want to low ball you tell them you will just have to turn it over to the law offices of "Dewey, Cheatum, & Howe"
  BK     

[MattC]

Guys I appreciate the advise!  Truly, as I'm still a bit dizzy from calling insurances and all the associated stuff. 

While I was writing this I got a call from GEICO stating that the 'Rev' wasn't insured.  Now this is gonna get interesting.  I'm covered for uninsured motorist, but .....

As to his intent, I'm a bit jaded by prior employment to arrive at a PC deduction.  However, his swerve was intentional in my opinion, and I truly thought it was intentional by the time I got the bus stopped.  But first impressions can be wrong, however I've learned to trust my 'gut.'

I had missed the thread about swerving, maybe that was a good thing.  My dodge may have been skill, but I'm more inclined to believe in a  bit of assistance from another  place.  =)   I did leave some skid marks but nothing that chirped the tires.  The sorta good news is that we'd planned on replacing the tires when we got to Tennessee so, it could be worse.

[Busted Knuckle]

Guys I appreciate the advise!  Truly, as I'm still a bit dizzy from calling insurances and all the associated stuff. 

While I was writing this I got a call from GEICO stating that the 'Rev' wasn't insured.  Now this is gonna get interesting.  I'm covered for uninsured motorist, but .....

I did leave some skid marks but nothing that chirped the tires.  The sorta good news is that we'd planned on replacing the tires when we got to Tennessee so, it could be worse.

Matt sounds as though the first call I'd make would be to the States Hwy Patrol or Dept. of Safety to have a ticket issued for no insurance to make it easier to file a claim against him with your/his insurance. (sometimes his insurance will pay up in these cases as sometimes it's a simple "clerical error.")

I wouldn't tell them this! (let them help pay for them!) As it may have still flat spotted them if they smoked @ all!

Next I would be inclined to check with several local attorneys! (just in case, no sense in you taking a second "hit" just because he didn't have proper insurance)
FWIW   BK 

[desi arnaz]

   I did leave some skid marks but nothing that chirped the tires.  The sorta good news is that we'd planned on replacing the tires when we got to Tennessee so, it could be worse.


  I THINK THE SKID MARKS I WOULD OF LEFT WOULD BE IN MY SHORTS.....